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The Wine Rack

By Suzanne and Parks Hall

Drinking wine is fun. But many people make it too complicated. That’s why for more than 10 years, we’ve tried hundreds of wines and shared what we’ve discovered with newspaper, magazine and now Travellady.com readers. Our approach to wine tasting may not be scientific. But it is down-to-earth. Since we believe wine and food are a natural combination, we consider that when trying wines and make pairing suggestions for every wine we recommend. You may not agree with all our choices. But you can be assured that the wines we recommend, whether priced at $10 or $40, represent good value. And speaking of prices, please remember that they can vary from city to city and that some wines may not be available everywhere.

TOP PICK

Ironbark
1999
Shiraz
$20 - $22

Ironbark is the U.S. and Canada label for OakRidge Estates in the “land down under.” We’re especially fond of Shiraz and this one doesn’t disappoint. Full-bodied, chewy and smooth, it’s an example of how well Australians make Shiraz. This wine has lots of character and warrants buying some extras to put away for a while. Tobacco and dark, dark fruits dominate the nose. Tobacco and a little tar enhance the ripe plum and berry flavors. Pleasantly, but not mouth puckering dry, this is a very good wine that’s worth the price. We enjoyed a bottle of this Shiraz with grilled lamb. It was a natural combination. Steaks, game and other red meats as well as grilled portobello mushrooms, hearty bean dishes and really sharp Cheddar cheeses are other good matches. Of course, you could just sit and sip it all by itself.

OTHER GOOD BETS THIS MONTH

2000
 Rose d’Regaleali
Tasca D’Alerita
$15 - $17

The dark pink color and aroma of maraschino cherries may fool you into thinking this is a sweet wine. It is not. Renowned as one of Italy’s best rose wines, it will stand up well to your favorite French rose. It is quite dry and tastes a lot different from it smells. The flavor is more cranberry than cherry. It’s also toasty and has a hint of strawberries. This subtle, interesting wine will pair well with fish and chicken dishes. Try it also with sauteed veal, even simple pork dishes.

2000
Clos du Bois
Reserve Chardonnay
Alexander Valley
$15 - $17

Before you sip, take a nice long sniff of this very inviting Chardonnay with the aromas of very ripe honeydew, pineapple, peaches and honey. You’ll find lots of rich fruit flavors in the taste as well.

Don’t expect a lot of sweetness, though. This moderately dry wine balances its fruit with acidity beautifully and finishes with some nice oak flavors. Slightly buttery, it leaves a thick feeling in the mouth. Pair this Chardonnay with you favorite fish, seafood and chicken dishes. But watch out for creamy sauces, they make the wine seem a little sour.

Image by S. Parks Hall